Nonnumerical telephone switching arrangement



Sept. 15, 1953 i J, w c s 2,652,456

NONNUMERICAL TELEPHONE SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT Filed Nov. 26, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. JOHN WICKS FIG. I

ATTORN E1 J. WICKS NONNUNERICAL TELEPHONE SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT Filed Nov. 26, 1949 Sept. 15, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN WlCKS vgwoovooooow-vg DQ wooooooooang Non NgwocooooowwNg N ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 15, 1 953 NONNUMERIGAL TELEPHONE SWITCHING- ARRANGEMENT John. Wicks; Biloxi; Miss., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111;, acorporationoi Delaware Application November'26, 1949; Serial Nol -1 ,29 ,625:

(Cl. I'm-271.52.

1.0- Claimst l The present invention relates in general, to.

switching apparatus, and. more; particularly to improvements in switching apparatus of: the

non-numerical type primarily for. use. in automatic and semi-automatic telephonesystems;

It is an object of the invention to provide, any improved switching arrangement whereby a. plu:

rality' of non-numerical lineswitches. are associated with a plurality of subscribers: line cir;-''

cuits, and. a multiple field of bare conductors: is associated with a plurality of trunk circuits, new and novel meansbeing includedsso thatyany sulascrib'ers-:line.circuit can be automatically-con nectedto afreetrunk circuit in the multiple field. of' bare conductors.

Another object of: the. invention, is. .to. provide:

a novel non-numerical lineswitch. foruseoin association with a multiple; field of, bare. conductors so that. connections of one set1of; circuit" concluctorscan be established to: another set: of circult conductors in. asimpleandi efiiicient manner.

A further object. of the inventiontis .-to providea new: and improved non-numerical;lines vitch. which is economical to. manufacture; and simple:

to maintain.

A still further object ofathes invention-11s: to;-

providenew: and novel means:fon preventing any;

non-numerical.lineswitch in the; group; from cone nestingwithrmore .thanzone circuitdn .themult-ipler field of bare conductors .at one: time.

Another object of the inventionisztotprovide a new and novel master switchfonusetin. asso ciation with a v group of non..-numerical,.line.-= switches to automatically; align-L all idle line-- switches of the group with a free circuitzin; the;

multiple field of bare conductors;

Afeature Ofz the invention, iniaddition to: the inclusion of a: simple trunk circuit: multiple; field: consisting of bare conductorsmesides:inzthe'also relatively inexpensive arrangement of thesubscribers line circuit conductors. Eachlmecircuit conductor. comprises. a metallic strip-spamningthe multiple. fieldconductors; but. having no normal electrical. connections therewith, o and. a conductor member depending-fromzthe metallic.

strip for a corresponding bareyconductorgof; each trunk circuitlin vthe multiple field; .these. depend-.=

ing conductor members being adapted: to; be. pressed into electrical:contactwith-the. respective.

trunk circuit conductorspin the multiple field;

Each". such conductor; strip and its depending.-

gether so that no -multiple=wiring is required therefor.

Another feature of. the invention relates to the provision of a switching; arrangement wherein a plurality of sets: of. movable conducting elements representing a subscribers line circuit are ar-' ranged in: co operativerelationship with: a p111.-

raiity of sets: of stationary conducting elements representingrespectiver trunk circuits; novel mechanical: means controlled by the functioning. of the non numerical lineswit'ch of' the sub-'- scribers line circuit being; provided for urging. a particular one of the" sets of movable conducting elements into electrical contact with the corre sponding set of stationary conducting elements.

A. further feature of; the invention is" the inclusion of novel means-for always returning the trunk. connecting; units associated with the subscribers line circuits to thetnorm'al non-operated positions upon. the release of previously established connections, thereby enabling the trunk circuits'to: befgraded" Without the-use'of special apparatusto obtaina higher percentage of trunking than thatpermitted: by theregular numberof ungradedvtrunk: circuits-z There are'other objects and features of the invention havingto do forthe most part: with the details. in carrying out-the foregoing. Thevar iousobjectsand feat-utesz of" the invention will be understood best upon. a further perusal. of.- the specification in connection with the accompanyingdrawings which show a-preferred embodiment of the invention;

Referring now tov thedrawings,

Figure 1 is: a: front view,. in elevation, of the switching arrangement showing the i trunk circuit multiple? fieldtofrbare conductors..- to: the right;

three non-numerical;lineswitches tolthe'left, and

a master switch for controling,- or directing, the lineswitches 1 at the center. 1

FigureZ is an endview, in elevation, of the switching arrangement shown in Figure 1.

Figure'B is aftopview, in elevation, 01"" the switching arrangement shown in Figure 1'.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-section taken along'the line 4 4.m Figure llto'show the relationshipofioneofithe rollers of-the master switch carriagewith a. rail: of! the mountingfraine.

Figure 5..is. a fragmentary cross-section taken along the.1ine..5l5 inFigurel .to show the mounting relationship. of a bank. of 10 contacts and theco-operating test: wiper.

Figure 6 is-a simplified circuit-diagram of: one

subscribers line circuit and-the associated nonnumerical lineswitch together with one trunk circuit of four bare conductors.

Figure 7 is a simplified circuit diagram of the master switch mechanism for causing the master switch to preselect another free trunk circuit in the multiple field responsive to the extension of a call over one of the subscribers line circuits to the previously preselected trunk circuit.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1, there is illustrated three non-numerical lineswitches designated I20, I25, I30, one common master switch designated I 35, and a multiple field of bare conductors comprising trunk circuits and identi fied by the reference character I50, all mounted in a co-operative relationship on a frame generally identified by the reference character H0. The frame IIO may be of any suitable construction but is not shown completely in detail in order to simplify the drawing, it being considered unnecessary for the purpose of illustrating the application of the present invention to detail such well-known structural devices as suitable framings, bearings and mountings for the various switching apparatus units.

Frame I I may include mounting space for any number of non-numerical lineswitches, one nonnumerical lineswitch being associated with each subscriber line circuit, limited only to the desired maximum height of the frame. The vertical members of frame I I0 are shown broken to indicate this flexibility.

The trunk circuit multiple field I50 includes forty vertically disposed conductors mounted in four-conductor groups comprising, for example, 10 trunk circuits. This multiple field of bare conductors is located at the right-hand end of frame IIO, as shown in Figure l. The four conductors of trunk circuit #1 are identified as conductors I5I, I52, I53, I54, in Figure 3, and the four conductors of trunk circuit as conductors IBI, I62, I63 and I54. It is obvious that each trunk circuit may include more than four conductors or less than four conductors, and also that the number of trunk circuits may be less or more than ten, according to need or preference. The vertically disposed bare conductors are insulatingly secured to the bottom horizontal member of frame I I0 in any suitable manner and then pass through correspondingly aligned holes in insulating support members, such as I55, suitably spaced and mounted on vertical members of frame IIO, until the top horizontal member of frame H0 is reached. At this point the conductors rise above the top horizontal member of frame IIO where they are connected to terminals (not shown) or wiring (not shown) according to circumstance. The bare conductors are held rigidly in the holes of the support members I55 by friction or other suitable means, and serve as wiper contacts for the bare spring conductors (wipers) of the line circuits mounted horizontally across the multiple field. The vertically disposed bare conductors, such as I5I-I54, Nil-I54, consist of stiff bare wires or other suitable material ,and may be of round, square, rectangular or other cross section.

In order that any line circuit may be connected to any trunk circuit of trunk circuits #1 to #10 inclusive, each line circuit includes four horizontally disposed conductors, such as I2I, I22, I23, I24, mounted across the multiple field of trunk circuit bare conductors but having no normal connecting therewith. The four horizontally disposed conductors of each line circuit are suitably insulated from each other and from frame IIO, each assembly of four conductors and associated insulating strips being rigidly held in position on frame I I0 by means of screws or other suitable device.

Each line circuit horizontally disposed conductor, such as I2I (Figure 2), has 10 vertically disposed and spaced conductor members, such as I4I, depending therefrom, each depending member being located adjacent one vertically disposed bare conductor of each of the 10 trunk circuits #1 to #10 inclusive, and said vertically disposed conductor of each trunk circuit being the same relative conductor of all the trunk circuits. Each horizontally disposed conductor, such as I2I, and its 10 depending members, such as I4I, are stamped from a single piece of metal spring material and, therefore, the horizontal conductor serves to multiple the 10 depending members together. In Figure 1, the outside vertically disposed conductors of trunk circuits #4 and #5 are broken away to show the vertically disposed depending members II4 and H5 respectively associated with the outside conductors of trunk circuits #4 and #5.

The vertically disposed depending conductors, such as I4I (Figure 2), are so tensioned that in the'normal, or non-operated, position the free ends are close to but clear of the related vertically disposed trunk circuit conductors, such as IGI. When the four vertically disposed line circuit conductors associated with one of the trunk circuits are flexed in the manner to be described presently, the free ends of said line circuit conductors are pressed into sliding engagement with the four bare vertically disposed conductors of the particular trunk circuit. The right-hand end of each horizontally disposed line circuit conductor, such as I2I, is pierced or otherwise arranged to form a terminal (Figure l) to which line circuit wiring (not shown) may be attached.

As previously indicated, non-numerical lineswitches terminate the subscriber line circuits, one lineswitch being associated with each line circuit. In Figure l, lineswitch I provides for one line circuit, lineswitch I for another line circuit, and lineswitch I for a third line circuit. The purpose of the lineswitch is to provide means whereby the associated line circuit can be connected to a free'trunk circuit of trunk circuits #1 to #10 inclusive, upon the initiation of a call over the line circuit. Figure 6 shows a typical wiring arrangement of the line circuit and the associated lineswitch, and Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the mechanical arrangement of the lineswitch.

Each lineswitch, such as I20, comprises an electromagnet IOI rigidly mounted on a member of frame I III, a three-member armature I02 mounted on frame III! in any suitable manner and so pivoted at I03 that member I04 of the armature is located in operative relationship with the core of magnet IOI, a linear lever assembly I05, and

a toothed rack I06 mounted on frame H0 in a, suitable manner for locking lever assembly I05 in,

I I3 suitably assembly 105' in an up. position which holds pawl I 16 of lever assembly 105- clear of rack 106. Addi-- tional bearings, such as I 1 1, may be provided for lever assembly 105 if desired. Other well-known suitable types of bearings can be employed equally as well as bearings 1 1-1 and 112.

The right-hand endof lever assembly 105 forms into two branches 301 and 302 (best seen in Figure 3). Branch 301 is adapted to pass between the inside row of vertically disposed conductors of trunk circuit multiple field 150 and the adjacent row of vertically disposed conductors fromleft to right and vice verso, under control of master switch 135-, in a planejust below the free ends of the related vertically disposed lineci'rcuit conductors, and terminates in a wedge shaped actuator 201 (Figure 2) of insulating material. Similarly, branch 302 is adapted to pass between the outside row of vertically disposed conductorsof trunk circuit multiple field 150 and the adjacent row of vertically disposed conductors, and terminates in a wedge-shaped actuator 202' of insulating material. Actuators 201 and 202 are shown aligned with the vertically disposed line circuit conductors associated with conductors 151-154 of trunk circuit #1, in a position to urge free ends of the vertically disposed line circuit conductors into sliding contact with conductors 151-154 of trunk circuit #1. By proper linear movements of lever assembly 105, however, actuators 2-01 and 202 can be aligned with the vertically disposed line circuit conductors associated with the "verticallydisposed conductors of the other-trunk circuits in multiple field 150-.

It should be understood at this time that the number of branches of each line circuit lever assembly and the number of associated wedgeshaped actuators would vary in accordance with the number of vertically disposed conductors of the trunk circuits in multiple field 150-; For example, if there were only two vertically disposed conductors for each trunk circuit in the multiple field, theneach lineswitch lever assembly would terminate in only one actuator such as 201, and if there were six vertically disposed conductors for each trunk circuit, then there would be three branches and three actuators associated with the lever'assembly of each lineswitch.

In Figures 1' and 3, lever assembly 105 is shown in the position where its actuators 201 and 202 are aligned with the vertically disposed line circuit conductors associated with the vertically disposed conductors 151154: of trunk circuit #1 and; therefore, when-magnet 101 of lineswitch 120 is energized, actuators 201 and 202 arecaused to press the fourvertically disposed conductors of the line circuit into sliding contact with the four conductors 151154 of trunk circuit #1. The mannerin which actuators 201 and 202 are caused to connect the four conductors of the line circuit with thefour conductors 15 1--154-of trunk circuit #1 is as follows:

Pawl 1 16 at the extreme left-handend oflever assembly 105 is opposite the first tooth (corre sponding to-t'runlr circuit #1) of rack 100-, and is held clear of this tooth by the pressure of spring 113- which forces and retains the upper edge of lever assembly 1 05' firmly against the upper limit ofbearing 111, lever assembly 105 pivoting in bearing 1 1-2. The section of lever assembly 105 to the right of bearing 112 correspondingly is in its lowest position, thus retaining actuators 201 and 202 in the normal, or non-operated positions. It should; be noted that rack 101i is' fltted with teeth, each tooth correspondingto onev or the 10;

trunk circuits in multiple field 150.

Now assuming that magnet 101 of lineswitch 1'20 becomes energized, then member 104 of armature 102 is attracted towards the core of magnet 101. This causes member 109 of armature 102 to exert sufficient pressure againstv lever assembly to overcome the power of spring 113, thus forcing pawl 116 down into the first tooth of rack 106.

Pawl 1 1 1i= is slightly tapered downwardly to facilitate its entrance into the tooth of rack 106. At the same time, member 101 of armature 102 moves upwardly to operate contact spring as= sembly 108. As a result of the downward movement of the left-hand section of lever assembly 1:05, lever assembly 105 pivots in. bearing 112 and theright-hand section of" lever assembly 105 cor respondingly moves in an upward direction, thereby driving actuators 201 and 2.02 upwardly between the four vertically disposed line circuit: conductors associated with trunk circuit-#1. The

circuits #Ztoitlll inclusive as well as with trunkcircuit #1, master switch (under control of certain circumstances-to be explained later in thisv specification) is employed to move lever assembly 105 from left to right and from right to left so that actuators 201 and 202 may be aligned with another trunk circuit in multiple field other than trunk circuit #1.

Master switch. 135 comprises essentially a movable carriage 135 (Figure 1) adapted to be moved from left to right and from right to left on rails formed from, or attached to, the top and bottom members of frame 1 10 (the distance between the left-hand location limit and the right-hand location limit of carriage 13-6 beingsubstantially equal to the distance across the vertically disposed conductors of multiple field 150), a solenoid 131- for pulling carriage 135 from the left-hand location limit to the right-hand location limit and a power spring 138 for driving carriage 136 from the right-hand location limit to the left-hand location limit. In addition, controlling means (to be identified later) are associated with master switch 135 for stopping carriage 136 at any desired trunk circuit position intermediate the leftliand location limit and the right-hand location imit.

Referring again to Figure 1, master switch carriage 136 consists primarily of a vertically positioned fiat metallic plate 111 equipped with rollers 118 at its upper and lower ends. These rollers 118 are rotatively bearinged' in plate 11? in any-suitable manner, thetop rollers 118 mov-' ably engaging a rail formed from, or attached to, the top member of frame 110, and the bottom rollers 1 18 movably engaging a rail formed from, or attached to, the bottommember of frame 1 10. Figure 4, taken along the line 45 in Figure 1, shows a suitable rail formed from the top member of frame 110, and also indicates how one roller 118 rotatively engages rail 119. Any suitable well-known adjusting method can be employed for adjusting rollers 118 of carriage 136 so that carriage 136- moves freely between the The four vertically disposedv top and bottom rails of frame III] without bind or undesired looseness.

It should also be understood at this time that the particular roller and rail arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 4 is for illustrative purposes primarily, as any well-known arrangement for providing a smooth and efiicient linear movement of carriage I36 can be utilized equally as well. It should be further understood that base plate II1 of carriage I36 need not be one continuous solid metallic plate, as it can be made from a number of vertical and horizontal members of suitable structural shapes welded or otherwise assembled together to form a suitable light-weight base for carriage I36.

Solenoid I31 of master switch I35 provides the motive power for moving carriage I36 from the left-hand location limit to the right-hand location limit, and power spring I38 the motive power for moving carriage I36 from the right-hand location limit to the lefthand location limit. Solenoid I31 is suitably mounted on frame III) to the right of carriage I36 (Figure l) and its moving element is attached to carriage I36 by means of pin I36. One end of power spring I36 is anchored to frame III) by means of bearing post. I45 suitably mounted on a member (not shown) of frame III] to the right of carriage I36, and the other end of spring I38 is anchored to carriage I36 by means of bearing post I40 suitably secured to carriage I36. Solenoid I 31 moves carriage I36 to the right by direct pull against the increasing tension of power spring I38, and power spring I38 drives carriage I36 to the left (solenoid I31 deenergized).

In order that the linear movements of carriage I36 shall be smooth and without violence, car'- riage I36 is fitted with a governor (not shown) for regulating the speed of operation. A suitable type of governor for this purpose is shown in Figure 8 of Patent No. 1,185,510 issued to A. E. Keith on May 30, 1916, and described in lines 35-43 on page 3 of the same patent. Any other suitable well-known type of governor may be employed equally as well for regulating the linear speed of carriage I36.

An escapement is associated with master switch I355 for controlling the linear movements of carriage I36. This escapement comprises essentially a toothed rack. I46 (having one tooth for each of the trunk circuits #1 to #10 inclusive) suitably secured to carriage I36 and a lock magnet I41 and associated armature I43 suitably mounted on a member of frame III) to the left of carriage I36. Armature I43 is pivoted at I49 in operative relationship with the core of lock magnet I41, and spring E61 retains armature I48 normally retraced from the core of lock magnet I41. Pawl I66 of armature I48 normally engages a tooth of rack I46, thus locking carriage I36 against linear movement. In Figure l, pawl I56 engages the tooth representing trunk circuit #1, and it should be noted that the teeth 01- rack I46 are counted from right to left, as armature I48 is located to the left of carriage I36. Member I58 of armature I48 controls a contact spring assembly I59.

When lock magnet I41 is energized, armature I48 operates and removes pawl I56 from rack I46. Carriage I36 is now free to move as long as lock magnet I41 remains energized. Now if solenoid I31 is energized while lock magnet I41 remains energized, then solenoid I31 will pull carriage I36 from the left-hand location limit of Figure l to the right-hand location limit which represents trunk circuit #10. At this point, solenoid I 31 becomes de-energized in a manner to be explained later and, should lock magnet I41 still remain energized, then power spring I38 will drive carriage I36 from the right-hand location limit to the left-hand location limit which represents trunk circuit #1. On the other hand, should both solenoid I31 and lock magnet I41 become de-energized when carriage I36 reaches the right-hand location limit representing trunk circuit #10, then pawl I56 will be forced into the extreme left-hand tooth of rack I46, thus locking carriage I36 in the position representing trunk circuit #10.

As previously indicated, carriage I36 can be stopped at any trunk circuit position intermediate the left-hand location limit and the righthand location limit. This is accomplished by holding lock magnet I41 energized until carriage I36 arrives at the desired trunk circuit position and then immediately ole-energizing lock magnet I41. The de-energization of lock magnet I41 causes pawl I53 to be forced into the tooth of rack I43 representing the selected trunk circuit position, to lock carriage I36 against further linear movement. The manner in which lock magnet I4! is controlled for stopping carriage I36 at the selected trunk circuit position is described in connection with the circuit operation explanation to be found in a later portion of this speciiication.

Finger members I26, I21, of master switch I35 are pivotally mounted at I28, I29, on carriage I36, and extend downwardly over lever assembly I65 of lineswitch I23 for causing linear movements of lever assembly I65 to the right or to the left, as carriage I36 is moved to the right or to the left. Fingers I26, I21, are coupled together by means of spring I32, the normal tension of which draws fingers I26, I21, towards each other until finger I26 rests against stop pin I30 fixed to carriage I36, and finger I21 rests against stop pin I3I also fixed to carriage I36. At the same time, the extreme free ends of fingers I26, I21, engage opposite sides of a guide pin I34 secured to lever assembly I05 for the purpose of transmitting linear movements of carriage I36 to lever assembly I65.

The just described arrangement of fingers I26,

I21, stop pins I30, I3I, and guide pin I34 is the arrangement of these elements when the associated lineswitch I26 is in its normal non-operated condition, with lever assembly I65 retaining actuators 20], 262, in alignment with, but clear of, the vertically disposed line circuit conductors associated with the vertically disposed conductors of a free trunk circuit. In Figure 1, the free trunk circuit is trunk circuit #1 and, therefore, lineswitch I26 is aligned with trunk circuit #1, in preparation for extending the line circuit associated with lineswitch I20 to trunk circuit #1, should a call be initiated over said line circuit.

The manner in which lever assembly I05 of lineswitch I20 is moved to the right will now be explained. Assuming that carriage I36 is in the left-hand location limit position as shown in Figure 1 and that look magnet I41 and solenoid I31 became energized, then carriage I36 is caused to move to the right-hand location limit by the pulling power of solenoid I 31. As carriage I36 moves to the right, finger I26, I21, are obviously carried along with carriage I36, spring I32 holding fingers I26, I21, against the respective stop pins I30, I 3I. Finger I26 presses 9, against guide pin I34 secured to lever assembly I-5and, since lever assembly I is free to move because pawl H6 is clear of the first tooth of rack I05, finger I26 moves lever assembly I05 to the right.

Assuming now that carriage I36 is in the righthand location limit position corresponding to trunk circuit #10, that solenoid I31 remains deenergized, and that look magnet I41 becomes energized, then carriage I36 is caused to move to the left by the driving power of spring I38. As carriage I 36 moves to the left, fingers I26, I21, are carried along with carriage I36, spring I32 in this instance also holding fingers I26, I21, against the respective stop pins I30, I3I. Finger I21 presses against guide pin I34 secured to lever assembly I06 and, since lever assembly I05 is :freeto move because pawl H6 is clear of the tenth tooth of rack I06, finger I21 moves lever assembly I05 to the left.

The foregoing description concerns the arrangement and functioning .of master switch I35primarily with respect to lineswitch I20. It, however, also applies to lineswitches I25 and I30 with .the general exceptions that lineswitch I25 is shown plunged into trunk circuit #5, and lineswitch I30 into trunk circuit #10. Hence, when carriage I36 is moved to the right from the positionshown in Figure 1, lever assemblies I60 and I65 of lineswitches I25 and I30 are not carriedalong because the pawl of lever assemblies I60 and I65 are held in the fifth and tenth tooth positions of racks I66 and I61 respectively by the continued energization of the magnets of lineswitches I25 and I30. Fingers I16, I11, associated with lever assembly I60 and fingers I86, I81, associated with lever assembly I65, however, are carried along with the carriage I36 but do not move the respective lever assemblies I60 and I65 for the reasons given in the following three paragraphs.

Lineswitch I25 is shown plunged into trunk circuit #5 which means that, prior to the plunging, fingers I15, I11, had carried guide pin I14 of lever assembly I'60 along until the actuators of lever assembly I60 became aligned with the vertically disposed conductors in multiple field I50 associated with trunk circuit #5. Subsequently, the initiation of a call over the line circuit associated with lineswitch I25 caused the plunging into trunk circuit #5, Since the main function of master switch I35 is to align the lever assemblies of all lineswitches in the normal, or unused, positions with a free trunk circuit in multipleffield I50, it follows that when lineswitch I35 plunged into trunk circuit #5, the lever assemblies of all unused, lineswitches were then aligned with a free trunk circuit. A similar situation also existed in the case of lineswitch I30 withrespect to trunk circuit #10.

Considering now the action of fingers I16, I11, associated with lineswitch I25 with respect to the moving of carriage I36 to the right from the position shown in Figure 1, finger I11 is held against the right-hand side of guide pin I14 and finger I16 against stop pin I by the pulling power of spring I12. As carriage I36 moves to the ri ht from the left-hand location limit, fingers I 16, I11, are carried along. The free end of finger I16 correspondingly approaches the left-hand side of guide post I14, and stop pin I'lI approaches finger I11. Should the movement continue until the actuators of all unalignedlever assemblies pass the vertically disposed conductors of trunk circuit #5, then finger I16 will come into contact with the left-hand side of guide pin I14. The contacting of finger I16 with guide pin I14, however, will not cause a movement of lever assembly I to the right because the pawl of ever assembly I60 is firmly held in the fifth tooth position of rack I06 by the continued energization of the magnet of lineswitch I25. At the midpoint of the travel of carriage I36, both fingers I16, I11, will be in contact with guide pin I14 and with the respective stop pins I10, I1I, in the manner shown in Figure 1 for fingers I26, I21. Should the travel to the right be continued, then finger I16 will be held in contact with guide pin I14, and stop pin I1! will urge the free end of finger I11 away from guide pin I14, spring I12 being flexed accordingly. When carriage I36 arrives at the right-hand location limit, finger I16 will still be in contact with guide pin I14 and finger I11 with stop pin I1I. When carriage I36 is moved to the left from the right-hand location limit, the action of fingers I16, I11, will be reversed to that just described.

The action of fingers I86, I81, associated with lineswitch I30 with respect to the moving of carriage I36 to the right from the position shown in Figure 1 would be similar to that described in the preceding paragraph for fingers I16, I11, with the general difference that the free end of finger I86 would not reach guide pin I64 until carriage I 36 arrives at the right-hand location limit.

When a call is initiated over a line circuit associated with an unused lineswitch, such as I20, said lineswitch plunges into the previously selected trunk circuit, such as trunk circuit #1, to connect said line circuit with the selected trunk circuit. Now in order that master switch I35 can then automatically select another free trunk circuit and align the lever assemblies of any unused lineswitches with this free trunk circuit, the following means are associated with carriage I36 for controlling the movements of carriage I36. A bank I68 of 10 contacts (one contact for each of the 10 trunk circuits #1 to 10 inclusive) is suitably mounted on'carriage I36 as shown in Figures 1 and 5. Contact #1 at the right of bank I68 is wired to one of the vertically disposed conductors of trunk circuit #1, contact #2 of bank I68 to one of the vertically disposed conductors of trunk circuit #2, etc. A test wiper I69 for cooperating with bank I68 is insulatingly mounted on a member of frame IIO to the left of carriage I36, also as shown in Figures 1 and 5, Figure '7 shows the wiring of test wiper I69. It is obvious that the locations of bank I68 and test wiper I69 can be interchanged, i. c., bank I68 can be mounted on framework I I0, and test wiper I66 on carriage I36.

The controlling means for carriage I36 further includes a contact spring assembly I13, a trip spring I15, an actuator I18, a trip magnet assembly I80, and a relay I85,.all wired as shown in Figure 7. Contact spring assembly I13 is suitably mounted on a member of frame IIO just to the left of carriage I36 when carriage I36 is in the position shown in Figure 1. Actuator I10, the ends of which are of insulating material, is so mounted on carriage I36 that its left end is just clear of contact spring assembly I13 when carriage I36 is in the position shown in Figure 1, and its right end extends slightly to the right of carriage I36. Trip magnet I is suitably mounted on a member of frame IIO somewhat to the of carriage E30 when carriage I38 is at the right-hand location limit (trunk circuit #10 position). Trip spring I15 is suitably mounted on frame i I just above trip magnet I80 and is normally tensioned towards trip magnet I80. Trip spring I15 is operated upwardly only when the right-hand end of actuator I13 passes underneath it, which action occurs just as carriage I35 reaches the trunk circuit #10 position. Relay I85 is mounted on any convenient member of frame I I0, such as shown in Figure 1.

Having described the mechanical arrangement and functionings of the present invention, a detailed explanation of its circuit operation will now be given, reference being had to Figures 6 and 7.

Referring first to Figure 6, this diagram illustrates a typical subscriber line circuit associated with one of the lineswitches, such as I20, in its normal relationship with the four conductors of a trunk circuit, such as trunk circuit #1, i. e., actuators MI and 202 of lineswitch I 20 are aligned with the four conductors of trunk circuit #1. It should be understood, however, that actuators 20! and 202 can be aligned with the four conductors of any of the other trunk circuits #2 to #10 inclusive and, therefore, lineswitch I20 can also have a normal relationship with any of the other nine trunk. circuits. It should also be understood that all of the subscriber line circuits and the associated lineswitches are arranged in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 6, only one line circuit, one lineswitch and the four conductors of one trunk circuit being shown in order to simplify the diagram.

At the left of Figure 6 is shown a subscriber telephone in block form, at the right the four conductors II-I54 of trunk circuit #1, and in the center portion the various elements of lineswitch I20. In the elevation figures of the drawings, the four conductors of trunk circuit #1 are located in a plane at a right angle to the plane of lineswitch I20, but in Figure 6 the four trunk circuit conductors I5I--I54 are shown in the plane of lineswitch I20 to further simplify the diagram. Actuators MI and 202 of lineswitch I20 are correspondingly shown in the plane of lineswitch I20.

Now assuming that a call is initiated at the telephone of Figure 6, then the circuit of line relay I00 is completed over the telephone loop in conventional manner. Line relay I00 operates and completes an obvious circuit to one winding of magnet i0I, causing magnet IM to operate. This completes the function of line relay I00. In passing, it should be understood that since line relay I00 performs no mechanical functions related to the units shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, line relay I00 can be mounted on a frame independent of frame H0, or line relay I00 can be mounted on frame H0 at any convenient location in association with lineswitch I20.

Armature I04 of magnet IOI pivots at I03 and causes member I09 to drive pawl I I8 of lever assembly I05 into the first tooth (corresponding to trunk circuit #1) of rack I08. At the same time, magnet IOI opens the loop circuit of line relay I00 at contact assembly I08, but line relay I 00 is of the slow-to-release type and, therefore, the circuit from line relay I00 to the one winding of magnet IOI is maintained for a short period of time thereafter. Responsive to the driving of pawl H6 into the first tooth of rack I08, lever assembly I05 pivots at H2 thereby driving actuators 20! and 202 upwardly. Actuator 20I urges spring conductors I9I, I92, of the line circuit into sliding contacts with conductors I 5!, I 52, thereby extending the line circuit to the negative and positive operating conductors of trunk circuit #1.

Actuator 202 urges spring conductors I93, I94, of the line circuit into sliding contacts with conductors I53, I54, of trunk circuit #1. Assum- 111g that ground potential is returned over trunk conductor I53 as one result of the seizing of operating conductors I5I, I52, then this ground potential is extended to the second winding of magnet IOI by spring conductor I93 to retain magnet IOI energized as line relay I00 restores and opens the circuit to the first winding of magnet IOI. Magnet IOI remains in the operated position as long as the telephone of the line circuit loops the operating conductors I5I, I52, of trunk circuit #1. Spring conductor I94 extends ground potential to trunk conductor I54 and thereby to conductor I88 leading to the contact of bank I68 (Figure 7) related to trunk circuit #1 for marking that trunk circuit #1 has been taken into use.

Referring next to Figure '7, this diagram illustrates the manner in which master switch I35 of Figure 1 is caused to select another free trunk circuit when trunk circuit #1 is taken into use by lineswitch I20 as outlined in the preceding explanation of Figure 6. Only sufficient details of the controlling means are shown in Figure 7 to enable the arrangement to be understood, and the lineswitches and the related lever assemblies have been omi ted in order to simplify the diagram.

The ground potential sent out over conductor I88 from Figure 6 is extended by wiper I60 in contact with the contact representing trunk circuit #1 in bank I68 to relay I85, causing relay I85 to operate. At armature I89, relay I85 completes an obvious circuit to lock magnet I41, causing lock magnet I41 to operate and thereby Withdraw pawl I55 from rack I46. Carriage I36 is now free to move and power spring I38, therefore, drives carriage I36 slightly to the left so that the left end of actuator I18 closes contact I13 while wiper I89 still remains on the righthand contact of bank I88.

The closing of contact I13 completes a circuit for trip magnet I from ground, armature I89, contact I13, winding of trip magnet I80, contact I59 to battery, causing trip magnet I80 to operate. At armature spring I8I trip magnet I80 extends ground potential to solenoid I31, and, at armature spring I82, extends ground potential to relay I thereby to lock relay I85 in the operated position. As armature I83 operates in response to the energization of trip magnet I80, it urges armature spring I8I to the left into contact with the ground potential spring and, at the same time, causes the tip end of armature spring I8I to slip behind latch I19 of trip spring I15 thereby to lock armature springs I8I and I82 in contact with the ground potential spring.

Solenoid I 31 energizes from the ground po-- tential over armature spring I8| and, since lock magnet I41 remains in the operated position because of the continued energization of relay I85, solenoid I31 draws carriage I35 to the right against the increasing tension of power spring I30. Carriage I36 travels smoothly and at a uniform rate of speed to the right under regulation of its governor (not shown). In the meantime, contact is broken between wiper I69 and the bank contact representing trunk circuit #1, but pawl I56 is kept clear of rack I40 by the operated lock magnet I41 and, therefore, solenoid I31 13 continues to draw carriage I36 towards the ri hthand location limit (trunk circuit #10 position). Contact I13 is also opened by the movement oi carriage I36 to the right thereby de-energizing trip magnet I80, but the armature springs I8I, I82, are retained in an operatedposition by latch ll? of trip spring I15.

As carriage I36 reaches the right-hand location limit (trunk circuit #10 position) ,the bank contact corresponding to trunk circuit #10 connects with wiper I69. Since in Figure 1 lineswitch I39 is shown occupying trunk circuit #10, there will obviously be ground potential on'the bank contact corresponding to trunk circuit #10, and this ground potential will be relayed. via wiper I69 to the winding of relay I85. This constitutes an-additional locking circuit for relay I85 which is holding lock magnet I41 energized. Solenoid I31, consequently, pulls car'riage I36 slightly further to the right to be completely established on the trunk circuit #10 position. In this additional movement to the right, the right end of actuator I18 slides underneath the tip of trip spring I15, raising tip spring 115 upwardly sufficiently to withdraw latch I19 from the tip of armature spring I8I, thispermitting armature springs I8I and I82 to restore.

The restoration of armature springs I8I-482 open the circuit of solenoid I31 and one looking circuit of relay I85. Relay I85, however, is held operated for the time being over the multiple locking circuit via wiper I69 and, therefore, lock magnet I41 continues to hold pawl I56 freeof rack I46. The de-energization of solenoid I31 permits power spring I38 to drive carriage I36 to the left towards the left-hand location limit.

As carriage I36 leaves trunk circuit #10 position and reaches trunk circuit #9 position (the next position to the left of trunk circuit #10 position), contact is broken between wiperliis and the bank contact of trunk circuit #10, and contact is made between Wiper I69 and the bank contact of trunk circuit #9. Assuming now that trunk circuit #9 is free, then there is no ground potential on the bank contact of trunk circuit #9 and, consequently, the last remaining holding circuit for relay I85 will be opened at wiper I69. Relay I85 restores, opening the circuit to lock magnet I41 and thus causing lock magnet I41 to restore. The retraction of the armature of lock magnet I61 by spring I51 causes member I 48 to force pawl 856 into the tooth position of rack I46 corresponding to trunk circuit #9, and carriage J36 is looked in trunk circuit #9 position. It should be understood that the lever assemblies of all unused lineswitches on frarne lIll were carried along with carriage I 6 6 in its just described movements to the right and then to the left, thus aligning all unused lineswitches with: trunk circuit #9. Assuming now that instead of trunk circuit #9 being free when wiper I69 tests the bank contact of trunk circuit #9, it was previously occupied. Ground potential, therefore, is extended from the bank contact of trunk circuit #9 to relay I85 through wiper I69 and, therefore, relay I85 remains operated. Lock magnet I41 also remains energized, and power spring I38 drives carriage I36 from trunk circuit #9 position to trunk circuit #8 position. In like manner, wiper I69 tests trunk circuit #8 position, and should trunk circuit #8 position be busy, carriage I36 is driven to trunk circuit #7 position, etc. If no trunk circuit below trunk circuit #8 position tests free, then carriage I36 is brought back to on b s leno d l 3 in the dam;

"l shofi d be un r t od a th s t me t at any well-known conventional method for preventing search n en a available; can lso be i I nven lt hould h fluri fif il'ndtrstobd an w knbw Q Yen tional methodfor preventing" the energiza'ti'ojn of more than one line circuit magnet, such as L1H; to cal ls""'bei ng initiated simultaneously can alspit appueu to th e nt nven ionc 'ip ri e measure a n i ar q p st n nti'o lid Ye t is c n idered m ets? .y t incll deltb' de a ls in t is speci- #3 1 the fore oing sp c fi at on an ssp i s drawings} it will 'be' readily 'seen' that an egg ingly simple and novel non-numerical'typ'elineswitch has been devised, and'that new and novel switching arrangements for use with a multiple field of bare conductors have been developed.

While there 'has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodi ment of the invention, it should be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure thereof, and it is contemplated in the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switching arrangement, movable conductors arranged in a flat plane of parallel rows, two levers each adapted to have a linear movement and a pivoted movement, two actuators, means for operatively aligning both said actuators with one of said conductors, means for causing a pivoted movement of one of said levers, said pivoted movement of said one lever causing one of said actuators to move said one conductor, means responsive to said moving of said one conductor for causing a linear movement of said other lever across'said conductors to operatively align said other actuator with another one of said conductors.

2. The switching arrangement claimed in claim 1 together'with means for thereafter causing a pivoted movement of said other lever, said pivoted movement of said other lever causing said other actuator to move said other conductor.

' 3. ,The switching arrangement claimed in claim .1 together with means for disabling said pivoted movement of said one lever to retract said one actuator from said one conductor, and means responsive to 'said'retraction of said one actuator for causing a linear movement of said one lever across'said conductors to operatively align said one actuator with said other conductor.

'4. In a switching'arrangementgmovable conductors'arranged in a flat plane of parallel rows, two levers each adapted to have a pivoted movement and a linear movement in both of opposite directions, two actuators, means for operatively aligning both said actuators with one of said conductors, means for causing a pivoted movement of one of said levers, said pivoted movement of said one lever causing one of said aligned actuators to move said one conductor, means responsive to said moving of said one conductor for causing a linear movement of said other lever across said conductors in one direction to disassociate said other actuator from operative un c r u t alignment with said one conductor, means re-' 15 sponsive to said linear movement of said other lever for causing another linear movement of said other lever across said conductors but iii the e pesae dir time to operativ'elyalign said other actuator with another one of said conductors,

I 5; The switching arrangement claimed in claim 4 togetherwith means for lastly causing a piv- 'oted movement of said other lever, said other actuat'or caused to move said other condu ctor re- 'sponsiveto said pivoted movement of said other lever.

6. The switching arrangement claimed in claim 4 together with means for disabling said pivoted movement of said one lever to retract said one actuator from said one conductor, and means responsive to said retraction of said one actuator for causing a linear movement of said one lever in only one of said opposite directions to of) eratively align said one actuator with said other conductor.

'1. In a switching device, the combination of a straightline lever having a contact actuator at or near one end and a pawl at or near the other end, said lever adapted to be moved in a linear direction for locating said actuator in any one of plurality of contact operating I positions, said lever also adapted to be rotated at an angle to its axis for moving said actuator in the plane of any one of said contact operating positions, a rack having a plurality of teeth corresponding to said plurality of contact operating positions, means for maintaining said pawl clear of said teeth of said rack to permit a linear movement of said lever, means for causing a linear movement of said lever to locate said actuator in one of said plurality of contact operating positions, an electromagnet, means for energizing said magnet, an armature operatively associated with 8. In a switching arrangement, a plurality of stationary bare conductors arranged in groups of at least four conductors each, said groups of stationary conductors being located in parallel planes of one group each, a plurality of movable conductors arranged in groups corresponding to said groups of stationary conductors and being ,so located in planes that each of said movable conductors is adjacent one of said stationary conductors, a lever adapted to have a linear movement and a pivoted movement, at least two actuators attached to said lever, means for causing a linear movement of said lever through said plane groups to operatively align one of said actuators with certain of said movable conductors of one of said plane groups and to operatively align another of said actuators with other of said movable conductors (if one plane group, thereby to select said one plane group, electrically operated means for thereafter causing a pivoted movement of said lever, said pivoted movement of said lever causing said aligned actuators to respect'iiiely move said certain movable conductors and said other movable co'ridiletors of said selectedv plane group into contact with the respectively adjacent stationary conclusters of said selected plane group.

9. The combination of a plurality of passive bare conductors arranged in a flat plane of parallel rows, a plurality of active bare conductors arranged in afiat plane of parallel rows,- each of said active conductors being adjacent one of said passive conductors and adapted to be moved into contact therewith, an element adapted to be moved in both of opposite linear directions and to be rotated at an angle to its axis, an actuator on said element aligned operatively with one of said active conductors, means for causing one of said conductors to engage its passive con doctor, means responsive to the contactin of said one of said passive conductors by its adjacent active conductor for causing a movement of said element transversely of said active conductors in one of said opposite directions to disassociate said actuator from said one active con ductor, means efiective at the end of said transverse movement for then causing a movement of said moved element transversely of said active conductors in the other of said opposite directions to align said actuator operatively with another of said active conductors, and means for causing a rotative movement of said twice moved element, said ire-aligned actuator responsive to said rotative movement of said element to urge said other active conductor into contact with the adjacent passive conductor.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first mentioned means includes an operated electromagnet as the motive power for said first transverse movement of said element, and wherein said second mentioned means includes a power spring tensioned by said operated magnet as the motive power for said second transverse movement of said element.

JOHN WICKS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,052,059 Sengebusch Aug. 25, 1936 2,433,256 Baker Dec. 23, 1947 

